Meg has nearly 2 decades of teaching experience across primary and secondary school settings. She is experienced in school leadership and governance, and prior to founding Omni Academies of Learning, was the coordinator of an internationally recognised robotics program. After seeing how young people displayed passion and motivation for their robotics projects, Meg began to question why classroom learning generally does not result in the same outcomes. The multi-age, peer teaching approach, with hands-on, project-based and passion-fuelled opportunities allows young people to fully engage with their learning. Her aim at Omni is to ensure that all students can experience meaningful, relevant, authentic and challenging learning in school. Meg was shortlisted for the Queensland College of Teachers’ 2025 TEACHX Awards for Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning.

Contact: principal@omniacademies.qld.edu.au

Heidi is committed to creating learning experiences that challenge and excite with the power of curiosity and humour. She has worked in a range of school models, holds qualifications in Arts, Education and Counselling and has experience in the not for profit sector. She is particularly passionate about inclusive and empowering education that makes all young people feel known. She believes relationships and emotional safety are central to her teaching approach, and that an environment of trust is where young people find who they want to be. Heidi believes Omni is a place that explores what's possible, not just what's expected, and she is excited to create a suite of interdisciplinary, real world tasks that capture students' capabilities in creations they can be proud of.

Vanessa has almost 20 years’ experience in education and leadership where she has led transformative initiatives across curriculum design, professional learning, and future-focused pedagogy. Through her experience as a sessional academic in ‘STEM in education’ Vanessa brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to education, creating engaging, real-world learning experiences that empower students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and embrace curiosity. At Omni Academies, she leads with the belief that education should be a journey of personal growth where students are empowered to become autonomous, compassionate, and courageous learners, equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Heidi brings an interdisciplinary background to her teaching, with studies in drama, dance, nursing, midwifery, and education, alongside current studies in student guidance and counselling. She has worked in schools and prisons as a health and sexuality educator, in adolescent mental health nursing, in roles supporting young parents, and as a teacher across a range of settings, particularly flexi schools. These experiences inform a deeply relational teaching practice grounded in care, community, and creativity. Heidi is passionate about cultivating learning spaces where young people feel safe, celebrated, and genuinely heard. She works in ‘power-with’ ways, honouring young people as experts in their own lives, and follows the sparkles of their interests to nurture agency, connection, and joy in learning.

Elizabeth has been teaching in Brisbane schools for a decade, bringing a teaching approach fuelled by curiosity and kindness. Trained as a generalist teacher, Elizabeth has broad interests and teaches across multiple subjects. She values classroom discussion, authentic learning experiences and treating everyone in the room as an individual worthy of respect. As a STEM curriculum leader, Elizabeth has previously led development of learning and assessment experiences based on real-world contexts and using innovative pedagogical approaches. In her spare time Elizabeth sings in choir, reads literary classics in her book club and coaches public speaking.

Bec brings a depth of experience in administration and coordination across healthcare, education, finance, and government settings.  Most recently, she worked in Medical Education, where she supported first-year doctors throughout their training, including the coordination of education programs and work-based assessments.  Her work is grounded in organisation, clear communication, and care-centred support.  Known for her calm, approachable manner and strong attention to detail, Bec values building positive relationships and creating systems that help people feel supported and confident in their roles.  As Administration Officer at Omni Academies of Learning, she is passionate about contributing to a connected, well-run learning community and supporting both staff and students behind the scenes.

Stewart is a Professor of Curriculum and Pedagogy in the School of Education at the University of Southern Queensland. His research examines the democratisation of schooling systems, increasing access and equity in education and how schooling can respond to critical social issues in complex contemporary times. Stewart is passionate about ensuring that all young people have access to a high-quality, meaningful education, and is thrilled to be part of Omni, which aims to deliver on that promise.

Contact: board@omniacademies.qld.edu.au

Amy has worked with Meg Foley since 2018, when they co-founded the vision for Omni Academies of Learning: a flexible and empowering design for secondary education. She is a parent of three and a teacher, holding qualifications in education, business and human resource management, and film and television production. Before teaching, Amy was a teacher aide for seven years, an office manager for 10 years, and a photographer/business owner for four years. Omni Academies is a step towards BEING the change she wants to see in the world: ‘I want children and teens to be empowered to find meaningful life purpose through education and the motivation to grow, learn and give back to their community’.

Kylie is an accomplished Innovation Strategist and Service Designer with a Master of Design Futures and MBA, and experience in social innovation and transformation within the early childhood education and care sector. Her work has included codesigning with remote communities in response to complex social challenges, developing online learning and connections for children, families, and educators during lockdowns, and playing a pivotal role in catalysing a whole-of-organisation transformation aimed at creating holistic systems needed to enable and empower frontline workers to act with agency to drive local innovation and better outcomes for children. Kylie is passionate about all children having access to high-quality education that inspires a life-long love of learning, and is excited about the potential of Omni Academies to facilitate this.

Penny has worked in child and youth services and the education sector for three decades and is currently the CEO of Play Matters Australia, a not for profit focused on enriching lives through the power of connection and play. Previously Penny has worked at the Queensland Child and Family Commission heading up the First Nations and Child Rights Team. She has extensive experience working in Indigenous education and setting up early childhood programs in remote areas. Working both internationally and here in Queensland, Penny has led a variety of policy and programs, including her work setting up the partnership agreement between child safety and education departments to improve educational outcomes for children in out-of-home care and the Bullying. No Way! campaign, which provides information and ideas for students, parents and teachers to combat bullying.

Nicole is a seasoned leader in Safety, Health and Wellbeing with a passion for education, inclusivity, and creating safe, supportive environments where staff and students can work and learn. She is currently the Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at the University of Southern Queensland. Nicole brings deep expertise in risk management, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and people-centred safety leadership across education, healthcare, and government sectors, underpinned by qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety, Business Management, and ISO systems auditing. She is committed to embedding inclusive safety and wellbeing frameworks into learning institutions, ensuring every individual has the opportunity to thrive in safe, collaborative, and welcoming environments.